Re: [Nolug] ideas to help nolug grow

I guess I deserve that for speaking up. Like I've said, I have only been to 1 meeting, and my
experience centers around FreeBSD. I wouldn't mind putting together a presentation/basic tutorial
on something. I would even help work behind the scenes to organize a meeting or effort, but I am
not sure I am particularly ready to "run" a meeting.

I commit to showing up to the next meeting, and I know a few folks who may want to attend. I will
do my best to get them there, and I will do what I can to HELP make the meeting beneficial to all
that attend.

Just let me know what you would like me to do, however I would like to respectfully decline the
"nomination". BTW, please don't take offense to what I am saying. I am not criticizing anyone,
their efforts, etc. There was a call for ideas, and I gave mine - so have several others; and I
think it should be looked at as a good thing that there are some "new" people who have given their
$0.02. I am sure that eventually with all the ideas and different perspectives represented here
we will hit on something that works for the group.

Brett

--- Scott Harney <scotth@scottharney.com> wrote:
> "Brett D. Estrade" <estrabd@yahoo.com> writes:
>
> I nominate Brett for organzing and running the next NOLUG meeting.
> Learn by doing. It is the UNIX way.
>
> I'm serious, by the way.
>
> There are lots of websites on running a LUG. there's even a HOWTO.
> BRLUG is not as organzied as you think. It just has a few strong
> individuals who take a leadership role and make sure that things
> happen.
>
> > Even if there are no officers, organization is key. If not, things
> > will not get better for the simple reason that there is nobody
> > directly accountable for accomplishing a set of goals and tasks.
> > Roles evolve naturally out of organization, and it just makes sense to
> > provide a formalized system for the group to decide who will serve in
> > what role. Although Robert's Rules refers to the system that is used
> > to run meetings, I think I still get what you are saying. I've been
> > involved with organizations with formal leadership roles that also use
> > RR to run their meetings, and I have seen it work very well; so it is
> > not all that bad. I am not suggesting that be done with NOLUG, but
> > its still a viable way to run an organization.
> >
> > I understand this is a casual deal and I know *nix has the grand
> > tradition of non conformity, but I find it very hard to believe that
> > the vision most people have for this group will be realized with out
> > some level of group leadership and the mechanism to hold someone
> > accountable for seeing a certain thing through.
> >
> > Maybe an idea would be to have the group come to some consensus about
> > some efforts they think will help grow the group. Once these are
> > identified, people can either volunteer or be selected (elected?) by
> > the group to head up that a particular aspect of what we are trying to
> > do. No need to have it formalized to the point where there is a
> > president, etc; but I am willing to bet that eventually the need will
> > arise for roles that look suspiciously like the what a president,
> > treasurer, etc might do. Just don't write the concepts off because
> > you have stereotyped ideas about such systems being inflexible or
> > ineffective. The beauty of most systems like that is that they can be
> > as flexible and adaptive as you need, and it is obviously up to the
> > group how something like this would be implemented.
> >
> > The main point is that there needs to some kind of charter and some
> > basic leadership, IMHO, if the group is to grow into what most
> > envision it could be....
> >
> > Quick question: Can someone provide a quick snapshot of BRLUG and Gulf
> > Port, ie how they run things, membership size, current intiatives and
> > the level of success vs how the group is organized? Maybe another
> > idea is to study other successful LUG's, see why they are successful,
> > and borrow ideas from them that suit our needs/style.
> >
> > Brett
> >
> > Joey Kelly (by way of Joey Kelly ) wrote:
> >
> >><snip>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Does the group have a mission statement or some other charter-like
> >>>document, or is its direction dictated by which direction the linux
> >>>winds happen to be blowing? If not, I think it would help provide some
> >>>focus on exactly what the group is intended to accomplish regularly.
> >>>
> >>
> >>BRLUG is more organized than we are, and if overkill is more your style, the
> >>guys in Gulfport/Mobile is definitely that.
> >>
> >>Do we have a charter? Not that I'm aware of. Scott and Hunter set up nolug to
> >>be a casual affair. While a little organization certainly couldn't hurt,
> >>frankly I'd rather not see officers, committees, elections, and all that.
> >>
> >>I've been thinking about this for a little bit before sending this post. I'm
> >>not fond of the "Roberts Rules of Order" crowd, and will fight that kind of
> >>organization at nolug tooth and nail. What I would like to see, and would be
> >>more in keeping with nolug's historically laid-back, casual atmosphere, is
> >>the formation of ad-hoc working groups, composed of those who are
> >>willing/interested/experienced (pick any of these) to get together to work on
> >>whatever projects we can come up with. This could help us get stuff
> >>accomplished, while keeping things informal. I'd rather see someone helping
> >>out on a project out of an interest in learning more about the technologies
> >>needed for a particular project than to have someone on a project because
> >>they were appointed to it by some committee.
> >>
> >>
> >>>How big is BRLUG? Also, how are they structured?
> >>>
> >>
> >>Ask Dustin, he's from that group. Me, I just lurk on their list.
> >>
> >>
> >>>It has always been my
> >>>opinion that organizing NOLUG to have a president, vp, treasurer, etc
> >>>would allow for a much more viable organization. I've never heard any
> >>>discussion since I have been on the list about that, but my gut tells me
> >>>it would meet some resistance. I am not saying this is the solution to
> >>>the dilema, but it sure make it easier to deal with many of the issues
> >>>that are constantly raised.
> >>>
> >>
> >>To my knowledge, this type of organizational structure hasn't ever been
> >>discussed before.
> >>
> >>
> >>>Although changing venue would suit the needs of some people who
> >>>currently attend or atleast keep active on the list, I do not think it
> >>>would serve to attract new members or help NOLUG grow. Also, Delgado is
> >>>just as far away from most in Metairie as UNO is. What about the Jeff
> >>>Center or the JP Regional Library?
> >>>
> >>>Brett
> >>>
> >>
> >>Perhaps we could work something out. BRLUG has a newbies meeting every week,
> >>with the more epxerienced crowd getting together maybe only once per month.
> >>
> >>Technical discussion is important, demonstration of various technologies,
> >>new/neat programs, etc. all have their place. Bull sessions are also
> >>important. In the past, we've had the regular presentation, then an
> >>after-meeting out in the parking lot for another hour or so, talking shop and
> >>whatnot.
> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>
> >>Joey Kelly
> >>< Minister of the Gospel | Computer Networking Consultant >
> >>http://joeykelly.net
> >>
> >>I'd rather crash a Ford than wreck a Chevy
> >>___________________
> >>Nolug mailing list
> >>nolug@nolug.org
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > ___________________
> > Nolug mailing list
> > nolug@nolug.org
>
> --
> Scott Harney<scotth@scottharney.com>
> "...and one script to rule them all."
> ___________________
> Nolug mailing list
> nolug@nolug.org

=====
I know who stole those lunches...it was that d@mn sasquatch!!!! -- "Billy Madison" (1995)

#! ~/myInfo
set url http://www.brettsbsd.net
set eFax (253)484-8755
#A.M.D.G
exit 0

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Received on 02/24/03